Wiltshire Cricket League Div 1 – Bradford on Avon 1st XI v Beanacre/Melksham 1st XI
BMCC were asked to bat and got off to a good start as Paul Gilbert set about the bowling with ease. The opening partnership had reached 54 before Hunt departed. Gilbert (49) was out with the score on 60 as the Bradford bowlers began to fight back.
Ben Brown, John Wiltshire and Joe Veacock all reached the mid 20’s before Dan Tallentire came on to mop up the tail. His 4 for 16 off 7.2 overs helped restrict the visitors to 142 all out in 35.2 overs.
Bradford’s reply started slowly in the face of some fast, accurate bowling from Ben Brown (2/24 off 12) and Rich Hemmings (2/23 off 10). Youngster Jack Footner (3/19) and veteran Chris Downham (3/17) then took over and wrapped up the home sides innings as they were all out for 108.
Only J. Edwards (23) and N. Perera (29) and I. Pinchen (14) troubled the scorers for the home side.
Saturday 31st May
Wiltshire County Div 3 Biddestone 3XI lost to Beanacre & Melksham 2XI by 17 runs
BMCC were asked to bat on a very soft wicket and their openers found runs very hard to come by in the face of some accurate bowling. The visitors were in a little bit of trouble on 27/2 off 17 overs but youngster AJ Hobbs (42) started to up the run rate a little as wickets fell regularly at the other end.
It was left to Gary Ings (11*) and Andy Footner (20*) to set a par score of 133/8 as they plundered 26 off the last 3 overs.
Pick of the Biddestone bowlers was A. Marsh (12-5-16-2)
Biddestone’s innings mirrored that of their visitors as the early batsmen struggled against the bowling.
Wickets fell at regular intervals but the score board kept ticking over keeping the game in the balance. Youngsters H Beazer (29) and D. Comport (21) looked to be turning the game the visitors way until the bowlers, with one last effort, had the final say leaving the hosts on 117 all out.
Pick of the BMCC bowlers were Andy Footner 12-4-15-3, Gary Ings 11-3-30-3 and AJ Hobbs 5.4-0-15-2
